ribbon

with my fists clenched,

you have given me

all the tools needed

to build myself a fortress

silver screws, bronze nails

with a golden hammer

a glistening power drill

all wrapped in ribbon

criss-cross applesauce

blinded by crooked bangs

i fumble with the screws

only to have scratched hands

you kiss my cheek

and wipe the tears away

but i rip the bandage off

“i have to continue” is all i say

chapped lips, sore thighs

dirty fingers and feet

i’m creating body art

with the nails you’ve given me

just twelve steps below,

your red tear drops fall

and that’s when i realized

i am your human voodoo doll

tangled hair, red eyes

i promise, “the tools are harmless”

you shake your head and watch

my screws and nails begin to tarnish

my throat is sore and raspy

yet i still continue to sing

the screws and nails i swallowed whole

begin to burn and sting

“you can’t do this, you can’t do this”

i try to hold myself down

but my chest keeps growing tight

and i can’t help but drown

with a sincere and soft touch,

you keep me under ball and chain

my hands tied behind my back

you pull the bath tub drain

wiping up conditioner and blood

all my mess-ups are forgiven

but i still see the evidence

and my soul grows livid

the blue sky turns to black

but i never shut my tired eyes

“i’ll finish my craft, i will finish”

if only that wasn’t a lie

angry, confused, and hurt

the rain drops splatter

a final look in the mirror

and the glass shatters

the golden hammer is now bent

and the metal is now dull

you help me up from my bed of shards,

shake me and call me a fool

how could i do this?

how could i be so stupid?

you gave me all the right tools

and i looked right through it

i tell you i’ll be okay

i tell you i’ll be fine

but the power drill still sits there

and you did say it is mine

picking up the weapon

“i promise, i will finish”

but it is too impossible

to complete what is never started

just twelve steps below,

your heart drops at my cries

racing to my room,

you drag me away from the fire

my heart is small and vulnerable

my body is stripped naked

“please cut the ribbon,

i don’t think i can take it”

you accept the ribbon back,

assuring me you’ll keep it

to turn into my braids

for when my dark becomes sunlit

i’ll cut my hair short

and i’ll turn my back too

but please save that ribbon

for my fortress will be built soon

Author's Note

Please tell me what you think!

Reviews

[keith]

you are able to put your deepest emotions and self questioning to paper

keep writing ... it helps

[macyblue]

thank you!

[Zahra]

Oh wow this is awesome! I really enjoyed reading

[macyblue]

thank you!